Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music, Japan

The Drama Course of Toho Gakuen College was founded in 1966 by 3 leading artists of the day — Koreya Senda(actor/director), Kobo Abe(playwright/director) and Chikao Tanaka(playwright). It was the first professional acting training course at university level in Japan. Since 1966 Toho Gakuen College has produced numerous actors, directors, playwrights and producers. In 2003 Yukio Ninagawa, the leading director, was appointed President of the college. In the following year the Art Management course was introduced. The Drama Course lasts for 2 years. The curriculum consists of Acting, Voice, Movement, Vocal Lessons, Pantomime, Classical Ballet, Jazz Dance, Contemporary Dance, Tap Dance, Japanese Traditional Dance, Kyogen, Stage Combat and academic subjects including Japanese Theatre History, Western Theatre History, Asian Theatre History and Dramaturgy. During the last term of their final year students spend the majority of their time rehearsing and performing in professionally directed productions.